Cozen O’Connor Attorney Matt Glavin Helps Illinois Lawmakers See Value of Restorative Justice Bill

July 27, 2021

CHICAGO, July 27, 2021 — Illinois took a bold step in protecting restorative justice circles earlier this month with the help of Matt Glavin, a member in the Chicago office of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. Glavin played an essential pro bono role in working with the Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) to pass Illinois Senate Bill 64, which was signed into law by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

“Matt’s relationships were essential in helping us build support with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for this important criminal justice reform bill,” said Luis Klein, Policy Director of the JJI. “These restorative justice practices have been in our community across the state for decades in church basements, community centers, and now even in our courts.”

SB64 looks to boost the effectiveness of restorative justice — a system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large — by providing that anything said or done during the course of restorative justice, cannot be used in court proceedings unless the privilege is waived.

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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